DEPARTMENT (STORE) : The Game

Each case is assigned a numerical barcode [for example:001-6-014]: -The first 3 numbers signify a case within the total group of 121 cases -The 4th number represents the length (in feet) of the case -The last 3 numbers signify its life span, that is, the number of days this particular case is played. Once it reaches this expiration date, the case is played by others. Hence, each player(s) in selecting a case, subscribes to play for a given time period. Note: the oldest cases have no expiration date (and no keys), but must be played throughout the entire semester.

The playing board is the architectural plan of the North Gallery.

Each case will travel across the playing board according to a set of algorithms* incorporating the following variables, or Terms of Entaglement: -a timeline of historic department store beginnings (a date starting from 1826 through 2008), corresponding to the year of an important department store founding -the design of Louis Sullivan's architectural ornament interpreted as "functional ornament;" an overlay of lines derived from the ornamentation determines the path of case movement -local weather, in terms of average daily temperature is subtracted from the optimum department store temperature (determined by study to be 64.4 ° F) to obtain a heating/cooling differential -a daily count of visitors to the Department (Store), as determined by the people-counter system -names of participating players, reduced to their numerological figure -phases of the moon determine dates of case movement. The cases will move on the following dates, which correspond to times when the moon enters each sign:

When cases meet...touch...collide, the players are called in to negotiate their collision and to affect the next play. Here, the players may also put into effect a new algorithm.A map of all movement will be tracked on the southeast wall and by a webcam.

*algorithm : |ˈalgəˌriðəm|nouna process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations

Note: details for the exact algorithmic formulas are written on northeast wall of the gallery

Please join us for a Special Edition of Read: 75 with Katie Lennard

Katie will be leading an informal discussion in the "Player's Lounge" of a text taken from the Department (Store) Library. Katie is a second year Visual and Critical Studies student with a special interest in embodied "thingness" and disembodies presence.

Read:75 will meet in the "Player's Lounge" of the Department (Store) Exhibition4:15 - 5:30 PM on Wednesday, November 19, 2008

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Things! Things!

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Cases

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On Going Events at the (Store)

Yoga in the morningswith Nancy Desert Lizard HeratyEvery Wednesday and Friday7:30 AM - 8:30 AMStretch, strengthen and reconnect the mind and body on Wednesday and Friday mornings with free yoga classes lead by licensed Yoga Instructor Nancy Desert Lizard Heraty.Mats will be provided. If you have props (straps and foam bricks, please bring them). We're ordering props but they may not be here by Wednesday. Also bring a yoga blanket or towel.Department (Store) Readings "Read: 75"Wednesdays, 4:30 - 5:45 PMin the "Players Lounge"

Join us this and every Wednesday evening for a no-homework reading time with J. Morgan Puett. We will meet on the futons in the "Players Lounge" to select, read (aloud) and discuss excerpts chosen from the (store)'s collection. This is an open and informal group for interaction. It is not necessary that one be subscribed to a case to participate.

Department (Store) Film Series2nd and 4th Thursdays, 4:30 - 6:30 PMThe Department (Store) will be hosting a film series curated by Sculpture MFA candidate John Jines. This series is a feature of the events surrounding the Department (Store)'s ongoing interactive exhibition. Popcorn and movie candy will be provided.

Up Next on November 13th:Fast, Cheap, and Out of ControlAn Errol Morris film which contrasts and interweaves the lives of a lion tamer, a garden sculptor, an MIT professor in artificial intelligence, and the discoverer of the mole rat. A fascinating collage of interviews, sure to foster dialog between participants, no matter how different their background.